The face on the Penny!

There are about 150 billion US pennies in circulation today.

A  penny was a  specific part or a fraction of (  1 / 1000) of a pound.   It is also 1/100th of a dollar in the countries of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.

The US penny

In 1793, the United States of America was trying to establish itself among the nations of the world. President Washington was made aware what an urgent matter it was for the US to have a stable system of coinage. A case can be made that the 1792 half dimes resulting from this need were the very first coins pressed by the United States Government. However the chain cents of 1793 were probably the first. The US penny, named after the British penny or pence was first minted as the US penny around 1787. Pennies in the US were first pressed in copper. The first design was by the famous Benjamin Franklin.

The first lincoln cent like what we have today appeared in 1909, on  the 100^th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.   If you have a 1909 penny hold on to it! More pennies have been pressed than any other coin in the US.

Throughout WW2 pennies were steel covered in zinc to allow the use of copper in wartime for military purposes.

There have been adoptions of a new penny at the 100th and 150th birthday’s of Abraham Lincoln in honor of him. In 1959 this produced the penny with the Lincoln memorial on the back. Of course if the indian cent and first Lincoln penny of 1909 could be had these would be a prize.  There are about 150 billion US pennies in circulation today

Presidents day is always celebrated on the third Monday of February in the United States.

Yes we can… change the world, find cures for diseases, or feed the hungry. This craft is inspired by Barack Obama’s famous 2008 presidential campaign phrase, “Yes we can.” Kids can add coins to this can to save money for their favorite cause or charity to make Earth a better place.

What you’ll need:

• Empty vegetable can
• 1 sheet of white construction paper
• ½ sheet of felt (we used red)
• 1 chenille stem (we used white)
• Red and blue paint, markers, or crayons
• Assortment of colored glitter pens
• White craft glue
• Scissors
• 2” wide strip of yellow or gold felt, enough to go around your can (optional)
• White acrylic paint (optional)
• Red glitter glue (optional)

How to make it:

1. Measure the width of the can and cut out a strip of construction paper that will cover the entire width of the can.
2. Write the phrase “Yes We Can” across the  piece of construction paper. Decorate the rest of the paper using paint, markers, and glitter.
3. Trace round bottom of can on to a piece of scrap paper.
4. Cut out the circle you just traced on the scrap paper. Place it on to the felt. Either hold it in place with your fingers or use a safety pin to attach it. Use scissors to cut around the circle, leaving a 1” border. You should now have a large felt circle.
5. Fold the felt circle in half. Using the scissors, cut a slit in the middle. Open up the half circle.
6. Place the felt circle on top of the can and secure with the chenille stem, wrapping a couple of times to tighten. Do not glue!
7. When glitter glue on the paper is dry, glue the “Yes We Can” band around the can. (See image.)

Tips:

• You can create this craft a little differently using white paint and a piece of felt. First paint the outside of the can with the white paint. Let dry. Then take the optional piece of felt and decorate it with the phrase “Yes We Can” using the optional red glitter glue. When glitter is completely dry, attach the felt to the can using glue. (See image.)
• Discuss with kids what “Yes We Can” means to them and to you.
• Change out the colors if you don’t have the ones that we suggest. We chose a patriotic theme but you can pick whatever colors you like. If you are saving for breast cancer research, use a pink theme, and so on.
• Keep this can in a heavily trafficked area of your house to remind everyone in the family of the cause you are supporting.
• http://crafts.kaboose.com/yes-we-can-can.html